Let the words cut deeper than fists.
Location: Watchtower Hallway – Morning
Elias walks into the corridor like he owns it — despite being nerfed, bruised, and barely tolerated.
The door slides open.
He saunters past Wonder Woman, who's in full armor.
Elias (mocking): "Is the tiara bulletproof or just fashion-forward for stabbing gods with style?"
Diana glares.
"Still talking, Elias? I thought we humbled that out of you."
He smirks. "Oh, no, Princess. You just made me bored of playing nice. Big difference."
Location: Watchtower Cafeteria – Later
Flash, Hawkgirl, and Green Lantern are eating. Elias slams his tray down beside them, takes a single bite of the protein mush, gags loudly.
Elias:
"Oh wow. Is this what justice tastes like? No wonder you people stay angry all the time."
Flash chuckles. "Still full of attitude, huh?"
Elias leans back, throws an arm around Flash's chair. "I'm full of things. Rage. Vengeance. And enough sarcasm to power your whole damn speedforce."
Hawkgirl looks disgusted.
Green Lantern glances sideways. "You're on thin ice, Omega Boy."
Elias: "Perfect. Ice cracks. I love when things break."
Training Deck – Simulation Room
He's forced to spar hand-to-hand with Batman again.
Bruce doesn't speak.
Elias? Won't shut up.
Elias (bouncing on his feet):
"Come on, Bruce. I know your whole playbook. Brood. Punch. Growl. Repeat."
Batman sweeps his leg and puts him on the mat.
Elias groans, wheezing.
Elias: "Oh, is that your way of asking for my autograph?"
Batman walks away.
Elias (still on the floor):
"Careful, Bats! One day I might actually hit back. Then we'll see who wears the eyeliner better."
Justice League Monitor Room – Evening
Superman overlooks Earth.
Elias walks in, sipping orange juice from a League cup like it's wine.
Elias (grinning):
"So, Kal… do you sleep with your cape tucked in or just let it flow dramatically while you dream about punching planets?"
Superman sighs. "I see the attitude hasn't gone with the powers."
Elias: "Oh no. That's the one thing you can't nerf. Not even with your Kryptonian sad-boy face."
Superman turns slowly.
Superman: "Watch your mouth."
Elias steps closer.
Elias (grinning):
"I'd rather watch it annoy you."
A pause.
"Face it, Clark. You nerfed me, beat me, and the moment this leash breaks? You're all going to miss when I just talked."
Outside Watchtower – Balcony Platform
Martian Manhunter approaches. He tries to probe Elias's mind again.
Instant resistance.
Even weakened, Elias's mental barriers are now brutal.
GET. OUT.
Elias speaks without turning.
Elias:
"Let me guess. You're here to remind me of compassion, balance, honor? Save it."
J'onn: "I came to ask why you resist even peace."
Elias (shrugging):
"Because peace is for the content. And I'm not done destroying the systems that made me crawl."
He turns, facing the Martian.
Elias (with teeth):
"Besides… I've got a personal list to shatter, and the top names wear capes."
Nightfall – Elias's Quarters
A rookie slips a message under his door.
A dare.
"Bet you can't last 10 more days without begging for power back."
Elias chuckles, tears it up.
He records a message back on the system's hidden interface.
[System – Internal Log]
"Let them laugh. Let them bet. Let them mock."
"Every insult is a down payment on their downfall."
"I'll make the League choke on their honor. One slap at a time."
[Vengeance List Updated – Targets: 34]
Emotional Aggravation: Spiteful (97%)
Mockery Response Level: Toxic Brilliance Activated
Final Scene – League Briefing Room
Batman updates the others.
"His mouth has become sharper than any weapon he had before."
Wonder Woman: "He's agitating everyone. Testing us."
Flash: "I'm starting to think he wants someone to snap."
Aquaman: "He's digging graves with his words."
Superman: "Let him. His leash still holds. Let the fool speak."
Behind them, unseen — Elias leans in the hallway, grinning.
Whispers into the commline he hacked:
"Fools? Nah. You're just scared of what happens when I stop talking…"